Nonbreeding adult

Juvenile

Juvenile

Habitat

Flock

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Identification

Small shorebird, falls into group called "peeps." Most similar to Least and Western Sandpiper. Shorter, blunter bill than Western without rufous tones in summer. Paler and grayer-brown than Least. Often in large flocks on mudflats, sometimes beaches. Winters in South America; very rarely lingers in the U.S., unlike Western Sandpiper. Breeds on arctic tundra. Seen in the continental U.S. only during migration.